Effects of Spiritually Oriented Group Counseling on Prisoners’ Well-Being,Hope,and Forgiveness

Abstract

Purpose:

This study investigated the effectiveness of a 10-week positive psychology-based, spiritually oriented group counseling program on male prisoners’ well-being, hope, and forgiveness.

Methods:

Using a pretest–posttest control group design between June and August 2024, 28 participants were assigned to intervention (n = 14) and control (n = 14) groups at Istanbul open correctional institution. Data were collected via PERMA Well-Being, Hope, and Heartland Forgiveness scales.

Results:

Quantitative results showed significant increases in well-being (p = .048, d = 0.68) and hope (p = .037, d = 0.72) within the experimental group, but not forgiveness (p > .05). However, compared to the control group, these differences were not statistically significant. Conversely, qualitative analysis revealed perceived benefits across psychological, emotional, relational, and spiritual domains, with suggestions for longer programs.

Discussion:

Findings suggest that spiritually oriented counseling partially supports well-being and hope, while forgiveness may require more intensive intervention.

Keywords

prisoners well-being forgiveness hope spiritually oriented intervention

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Agorsor

C. F.

Owen

Coleman

J. J.

Reese

R. J.

DeBlaere

Davis

D. E.

Sinha

Porter

E. F.

Gafford

(2024). The effectiveness of psychotherapy in jails with spirituality-informed care: A benchmark comparison. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 11(4), 408–418. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000333

Altıntaş

M. E.

(2019). Ceza infaz kurumlarında gerçekleştirilen manevî rehberlik ve din hizmetleri üzerine nitel bir araştırma (Kayseri örneği). Diyanet İlmî Dergi, 55(1), 81–119.

Amoke

C. V.

Ede

M. O.

Nwokeoma

B. N.

Onah

S. O.

Ikechukwu-Ilomuanya

A. B.

Albi-Oparaocha

F. C.

Nweke

M. L.

Amadi

K. C.

Aloh

H. E.

Anyaegbunam

E. N.

Nwajiuba

C. A.

Onwuama

O. P.

Ede

K. R.

Ononaiwu

A. I.

Nweze

(2020). Effects of group cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates. Medicine, 99(17), e18034. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000018034

Ang

S. Y.

Saat

G. A. M.

Shittu

O. T.

(2025). Prison-based psychological and social interventions to improve the well-being of women prisoners: A systematic review. Mental Health & Prevention, 37, 200405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2025.200405

Auty

K. M.

Cope

Liebling

(2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of yoga and mindfulness meditation in prison: Effects on psychological well-being and behavioural functioning. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 61(6), 689–710. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X15602514

Baygeldi

M. R.

Toklucu

Ataman

(2019). Cezaevi kültüründe maneviyat: Sincan F tipi cezaevi örneği. In Zengin

Tınaz

Ayten

Ekşi

(Eds.), Cezaevi hizmetlerinde manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik (pp. 39–56). Dem.

Beaudry

Perry

A. E.

Fazel

(2021). Effectiveness of psychological interventions in prison to reduce recidivism: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(9), 759–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00170-X

Bugay

Demir

(2010). A turkish version of the heartland forgiveness scale. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 1927–1931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.390

Butler

Kern

M. L.

(2016). The PERMA-Profiler: A brief multidimensional measure of flourishing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(3), 1–48. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v6i3.526

10.

Corey

(2021). Theory and practice of group counseling (10th ed.). Cengage.

11.

Demirci

Ekşi

Dinçer

Kardaş

(2017). Beş boyutlu iyi oluş modeli: PERMA Ölçeği Türkçe formunun geçerlik ve güvenirliği. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 5(1), 60–77.

12.

Düzgüner

(2020). Ceza infaz kurumlarında manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı.

13.

Eker

(2017). Affetme esnekliği kazandırma amaçlı bilişsel davranışçı yönelimli grupla psikolojik danışma uygulamasının ergenlerdeki umutsuzluk üzerindeki etkisi [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Sakarya University. https://acikerisim.sakarya.edu.tr/bitstream/handle/20.500.12619/69524/EFT0298.pdf?sequence=1

14.

Ekşi

(2022). Manevi yönelimli psikolojik danışma. Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.

15.

Ellison

C. W.

(1983). Spiritual well-being: Conceptualization and measurement. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 11(4), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1177/009164718301100406

16.

Emmons

R. A.

Paloutzian

R. F.

(2003). The psychology of religion. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 377–402. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145024

17.

Enright

R. D.

(1996). Counseling within the forgiveness triad: On forgiving, receiving forgiveness, and self-forgiveness. Counseling and Values, 40(2), 107–126. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.1996.tb00844.x

18.

Enright

R. D.

(2001). Forgiveness is a choice: A step-by-step process for resolving anger and restoring hope. American Psychological Association.

19.

Eryalçın

Duyan

(2022). Denetimli serbestlik sisteminde aile temelli müdahale yöntemleri. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 16(2), 434–446. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1027020

20.

Falb

M. D.

Pargament

K. I.

(2014). Religion, spirituality, and positive psychology: Strengthening well-being. In Pedrotti

J. T.

Edwards

L. M.

(Eds.), Perspectives on the intersection of multiculturalism and positive psychology (pp. 143–157). Springer.

21.

Fazel

Hayes

A. J.

Bartellas

Clerici

Trestman

(2016). Mental health of prisoners: Prevalence, adverse outcomes, and interventions. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(9), 871–881. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30142-0

22.

Gallas

E. M.

(2004). Endorsing religion: Drug courts and the 12-step recovery support program. American University Law Review, 53(5), 1063–1101.

23.

Gao

Bai

(2022). Forgiveness and subjective well-being: A meta-analysis review. Personality and Individual Differences, 186, 111350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111350

24.

General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses. (2020, May 12). Types of penal institutions in Turkey [Archived web page]. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20200512024423/https:/cte.adalet.gov.tr/Home/haritaliste#collapse22

25.

Haviv

Weisburd

Hasisi

Shoham

Wolfowicz

(2020). Do religious programs in prison work? A quasi-experimental evaluation in the Israeli prison service. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 16(4), 505–533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-019-09375-0

26.

Hsieh

H. F.

Shannon

S. E.

(2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687

27.

Huynh

K. H.

Hall

Hurst

M. A.

Bikos

L. H.

(2015). Evaluation of the Positive Re-Entry in Corrections Program: A positive psychology intervention with prison inmates. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 59(9), 1006–1023. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X14523385

28.

Işık

(2016). Türkiye’deki ceza infaz kurumlarında manevi danışmanlığın imkânı üzerine bir değerlendirme. In Zengin

Tınaz

Ayten

Ekşi

(Eds.), Cezaevi hizmetlerinde manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik (1st ed, pp. 102–133). Dem.

29.

Karlsson

M. E.

Zielinski

M. J.

Bridges

A. J.

(2020). Replicating outcomes of Survivors Healing from Abuse: Recovery through Exposure (SHARE). Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(3), 300–305. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000504

30.

Kendir-Pugar

(2025). Cezaevindeki erkek mahkumların psikolojik iyi oluşlarının affetme ve umutla ilişkisinin incelenmesi [Investigation of the relationship between psychological well-being, forgiveness, and hope among male prisoners in prison] [Master’s thesis]. Istanbul 29 Mayıs University. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

31.

Kim

J. J.

Payne

E. S.

Tracy

E. L.

(2022). Indirect effects of forgiveness on psychological health through anger and hope: A parallel mediation analysis. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(5), 3729–3746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01518-4

32.

Klapow

M. C.

Shea

Bohn

Hoffman

(2025). The effectiveness of positive psychology-based interventions in prisons on well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 21(2), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2025.2461532

33.

Messina

N. P.

(2023). An experimental study of the effectiveness of a trauma-specific intervention for incarcerated men. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(3–4), 3088–3112. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221104526

34.

Mutia

A. E.

(2025). Spiritual care programs and recidivism prevention among the prison inmates in selected prisons in Nairobi county, Kenya. Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education, 9(3), 1067–1076. https://doi.org/10.59765/xsr42k

35.

Nedderman

A. B.

Underwood

L. A.

Hardy

V. L.

(2010). Spirituality group with female prisoners: Impacting hope. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 16(2), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078345809356526

36.

Paleari

G. F.

Danioni

Pelucchi

Lombrano

M. R.

Lumera

Regalia

(2022). The relationship between self-forgiveness and psychological wellbeing in prison inmates: The mediating role of mindfulness. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 32(5), 337–349. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.2260

37.

Rashid

Seligman

M. E. P.

(2018). Positive psychotherapy: Clinician manual. Oxford University Press.

38.

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice, General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics. (2022). Prison statistics, 2021. https://adlisicil.adalet.gov.tr/Resimler/SayfaDokuman/22052022101502ceza_infaz_kurumu_istatistikleri_2021.pdf

39.

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice, General Directorate of Penitentiaries. (2026). Ceza infaz kurumu istatistikleri. https://cte.adalet.gov.tr/Home/BilgiDetay/22

40.

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice, General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses. (n.d.). Psiko-Sosyal Yardım Servisi: Genel bilgi. https://cte.adalet.gov.tr/home/sayfadetay/psiko-sosyal-servis-genel-bilgi

41.

Seligman

M. E. P.

(2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.

42.

Seligman

M. E. P.

Csikszentmihalyi

(2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9088-8_18

43.

Snyder

C. R.

(2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249–275. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1304_01

44.

Snyder

C. R.

Harris

Anderson

J. R.

Holleran

S. A.

Irving

L. M.

Sigmon

S. T.

Yoshinobu

Gibb

Langelle

Harney

(1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), 570–585. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.4.570

45.

Sucipto

Purwanto

Japar

Iłendo-Milewska

(2020). Improving the psychological well-being of prisoners through group counseling with solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) approach. Psikohumaniora: Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 5(2), 155–168. https://doi.org/10.21580/pjpp.v5i2.6036

46.

Tarhan

Bacanlı

(2015). Sürekli Umut Ölçeği’nin Türkçe’ye uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 3(1), 1–14.

47.

Turner

Thomas

Menih

Collins

(2025). Inner peace: Evaluating a complementary program promoting intra-personal peace at adelaide women’s prison. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 69(15), 2084–2102. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X241246099

48.

Verona

McDonald

J. B.

Fournier

L. F.

Brown

M. E.

Carsten

E. E.

(2024). Adapting a dialectical behavior therapy skills group within a jail setting: Implementation challenges and considerations. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 32(4), 544–556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2024.05.001

49.

Ward

Mann

R. E.

Gannon

T. A.

(2007). The good lives model of offender rehabilitation: Clinical implications. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 12(1), 87–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2006.03.004

50.

Yalçın

Arıtürk

Görgü Akçay

N. S.

Tekinsav Sütcü

(2024). Cognitive behavioral group therapy for anger management in juvenile delinquents: Effectiveness study in a Turkey child prison. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 68(16), 1737–1754.

51.

Yaşaroğlu

(2025). Ceza infaz kurumlarında bulunan erkek hükümlülerin dini/manevi yaşamlarının incelenmesi (Maltepe Açık Ceza İnfaz Kurumu örneği) [Investigation of religious/spiritual lives of male convicts in penal institutions (The case of Maltepe Open Penal Institution)] [Master’s thesis]. Istanbul 29 Mayıs University. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

52.

Gambaro

Song

J. Y.

Teslik

Song

Komoski

M. C.

Wollner

Enright

R. D.

(2021). Forgiveness therapy in a maximum-security correctional institution: A randomized clinical trial. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 28(6), 1457–1471. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2583

Supplementary Material

Please find the following supplemental material available below.

For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.

For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.

0.00 MB

0.02 MB